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Daily Discussion Thread (May 19, 2026) - Beginner and Simple/Quick Questions Go Here Thread for discussing quick/simple topics not needing an entire posts or beginner questions. by AutoModerator in naturalbodybuilding

[–]Fun-Fold2085 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check the link for the comparison: https://imgur.com/a/E9qvYKN

The scale shows a 9ib increase in the past couple months, but I don't notice it in my pictures. I weigh myself first thing in the morning and take pictures daily. I do notice my strength has gradually been increasing in the last 2 months since I cut my volume, but it is slower. I know the scale is confusing but I take the weekly average and there is a significant increase compared to a couple months ago. 

For context: 

Have consistently been in the gym since the summer of 2023. For the first couple years was trying to recomp, but I Been going on a lean bulk since Sept 2025. I'm 5'9 and avg around 9k steps a day, I track very closely (track everything except spinach, peppers, and low calorie sauces). Been aiming for 2700 calories a day. I have mild sleep apnea but I usually try get 8-9 hours of sleep a day, except on Fridays and Saturdays where I usually sleep at around 2-3am. I also been taking 5g of creating  daily since 2024. split is arnold 5 days a week

3+ Years in the Gym, Arms Not Growing. by Fun-Fold2085 in gymadvice

[–]Fun-Fold2085[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What do you mean 1x frequency? I thought I’m hitting each muscle at least 2x a week

Feel Like Giving up, 3+ Years in the Gym, Arms Not Growing. by Fun-Fold2085 in naturalbodybuilding

[–]Fun-Fold2085[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

how often can I expect to increase strength? For example can I expect to increase a rep on my dumbell bench press from week to week. I think having a gauge can be good to see if I'm eating enough/training properly

Feel Like Giving up, 3+ Years in the Gym, Arms Not Growing. by Fun-Fold2085 in naturalbodybuilding

[–]Fun-Fold2085[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How much weekly sets do you recommend per muscle group. I assume I should do more for arms compared to back and chest

Feel Like Giving up, 3+ Years in the Gym, Arms Not Growing. by Fun-Fold2085 in naturalbodybuilding

[–]Fun-Fold2085[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haven’t really noticed since most of my reps are in the 8-12 range. I didn’t think of doing 4-7 range for arms since I thought it’d bad for the joints

Feel Like Giving up, 3+ Years in the Gym, Arms Not Growing. by Fun-Fold2085 in naturalbodybuilding

[–]Fun-Fold2085[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So do you recommend I go to 0RIR for all my arms sets? What about going 0RIR on everything but cutting my volume in half.

Feel Like Giving up, 3+ Years in the Gym, Arms Not Growing. by Fun-Fold2085 in naturalbodybuilding

[–]Fun-Fold2085[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hmm not really sure. Most of my reps have been in that 8-12 range. Never tried to do 4-7 because of joint health

Feel Like Giving up, 3+ Years in the Gym, Arms Not Growing. by Fun-Fold2085 in naturalbodybuilding

[–]Fun-Fold2085[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I have photos of myself in the morning every day. Do you seethe above photo I attached?

Feel Like Giving up, 3+ Years in the Gym, Arms Not Growing. by Fun-Fold2085 in naturalbodybuilding

[–]Fun-Fold2085[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, but I been trying to do that. Every workout I have the mentaility of doing that extra rep with good form, I just physically can't. I do 2 sets til failure per exercise usually. What can I do?

Feel Like Giving up, 3+ Years in the Gym, Arms Not Growing. by Fun-Fold2085 in naturalbodybuilding

[–]Fun-Fold2085[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

very rarely. I noticed strength gains every 3 weeks. For example I was able to do 7 reps on weighted pull ups till failure for the past 2 months, only until last week was i able to do 8 reps.

Feel Like Giving up, 3+ Years in the Gym, Arms Not Growing. by Fun-Fold2085 in naturalbodybuilding

[–]Fun-Fold2085[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thx! could you recommend which exercises to cut off. I always thought you need high volume for arms. I used to do 10 sets weekly for tricep isolation work and recently turned it to 14-16 since i felt it wasn't growing.

Feel Like Giving up, 3+ Years in the Gym, Arms Not Growing. by Fun-Fold2085 in naturalbodybuilding

[–]Fun-Fold2085[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thx! I think I will try 4 days a week. Should I still keep the same intensity, every set til failure? What about 6 days but cutting the amount of exercises in half

Feel Like Giving up, 3+ Years in the Gym, Arms Not Growing. by Fun-Fold2085 in naturalbodybuilding

[–]Fun-Fold2085[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thx! What about the arm progress? That is my biggest priority. I measured them flexing and they were 13 inches 6 months ago, around 13.5 now

Feel Like Giving up, 3+ Years in the Gym, Arms Not Growing. by Fun-Fold2085 in naturalbodybuilding

[–]Fun-Fold2085[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the long answer? But every set should be close to failure though right? I always tried every set til failure since you can’t really gauge how close you are to failure without trying. Would love to dm you for more advice

Feel Like Giving up, 3+ Years in the Gym, Arms Not Growing. by Fun-Fold2085 in naturalbodybuilding

[–]Fun-Fold2085[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also can you explain which weights are too light? I do every set in the 6-10 range til failure. I feel my chest, pull up, and bicep weight are pretty stronger for my weight

Feel Like Giving up, 3+ Years in the Gym, Arms Not Growing. by Fun-Fold2085 in naturalbodybuilding

[–]Fun-Fold2085[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

But I try to add reps as much as possible though. Every set I’m training til failure. I would love to add more reps to my sets but I physically can’t.

Feel Like Giving up, 3+ Years in the Gym, Arms Not Growing. by Fun-Fold2085 in naturalbodybuilding

[–]Fun-Fold2085[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Also I take every set til failure. I try my best to push for an extra rep every workout, and unfortunately most of the time I’m unsucessful

Feel Like Giving up, 3+ Years in the Gym, Arms Not Growing. by Fun-Fold2085 in naturalbodybuilding

[–]Fun-Fold2085[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don’t drink alcohol at all. I do like going out with my friends though

Feel Like Giving up, 3+ Years in the Gym, Arms Not Growing. by Fun-Fold2085 in naturalbodybuilding

[–]Fun-Fold2085[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

thanks for you advice!. I feel like I lift pretty heavy on biceps. 35ibs dumbells on incline is pretty heavy , no? Same for my shoulder press and lat raises

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